Movies that move me

One of the reasons I am passionate about this documentary is because the vision for this project is unlike anything on this subject I have seen thus far. To my knowledge, most films and documentaries regarding human trafficking are mostly focused on making people aware of the atrocity of slavery. This is good and needed.  However, so far, there is nothing like the documentary I am making which focuses on the ways ordinary people can & do make a difference toward ending human trafficking. I have featured 3 films that I feel do an admirable job of showing the realities of human trafficking. Click the links below to learn more.


The Whistleblower - Aside from a straight-out documentary, this is the most accurate depiction of sex slavery in a feature film that I have seen.  Three well-known respected actors play the lead roles. The movie is based on actual events, which may be the reason it seems most accurate. I highly recommend this film if you have any interest in digging deeper into the behind the scenes evil that makes sex slavery such a huge business. 


Trade - You can rent this one, though I streamed it on Netflix. This stars Kevin Kline and is very well done. It is an accurate portrayal of how girls are abducted, trafficked, and auctioned.  My only complaint on this one is that the rescuer (played by Kevin Kline) has a personal connection to the one girl he rescues, and a personal reason for getting involved. Kline's character believes his daughter was abducted and trafficked. But the girl he saves is not his daughter. Sex slavery is an ugliness that makes most people cringe and then feel hopeless. Some are provoked to work toward ending trafficking by rescuing and rehabilitating slaves as if they were helping their own child. 


Born into Brothels - This is a documentary made by a photographer who started a photography class for children of prostitutes in the red light district of Kolkata/Calcutta. This film shows the resilience of the human spirit under grim circumstances. And shows the ugly reality of life in a brothel through the eyes of innocent children of prostitutes who only desire love, beauty and acceptance in their community, which happens to be in the red light district. The kids can't really comprehend anything else. 


Regarding the documentary I am working on... even if ten others like it beat it to the box office, it will not deter me from finishing mine. As long as sex slavery exists there will always room for more films that increase awareness, and show what is possible when the power of love transforms possibilities. 

A Little Extra

I have never made a film before, but that will not stop me from making this film. I have always been adventurous!  I have lots of great stories of times I have tried something I had never done before.  I am blessed with opportunities to learn more about film-making in unexpected ways.


The other day I got to be an extra in a full-length romantic comedy being filmed here in Cincinnati.  Even though the process for making a documentary is different, it was great to be on a movie set and observe!  Here is a news story about the film. I have my 2 seconds of fame at time marker 00:51- don't blink! I am behind the blonde woman clapping.





There were so many reasons I am grateful I was on set this particular day. Mostly, I am grateful to have spent the day learning by observing. I hope the audience for this documentary will also learn by watching! Who knows what new ideas for abolishing slavery it might inspire!

All About It - Part Four: Project Management

The vision for this documentary project reminds me of a joke: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time.  With each bite, I realize there are many potential places to take the next bite.  Also with each bite, I sink my teeth deeper into the meat of it. It is quite overwhelming, most of the time!  I thank God for the friends who encourage me and remind me how important it is to see this vision through.  


Here are some basic bones of the project:


~To interview people who are making a difference toward ending sex slavery. 
~To gather their stories about the passionate people about how they got involved.
~To film events where people are taking action to end sex slavery. 
~To raise awareness and funds.
~To collect a stories from some girls/women who have been rescued from sex slavery, rehabilitated, re-trained with a variety of skills and are living productive, free lives.
~To show the audience that they can help make a difference with the resources they have at their fingertips — their talents, their time, their money and their freedom of choice. 

These are my objectives, there is a LOT of prep work to be done!  I am plugging away and moving forward with the vast possibilities available for this project. I am very grateful God will me with management!